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Rebels edged by Crusaders 30-26

Melissa Woods

Outstanding performances from Wallabies Scott Higginbotham and James O'Connor could not prevent the Melbourne Rebels having another Super Rugby victory snatched from their grasp as the Crusaders stole a 30-26 win.

The Rebels scored three tries to the Crusaders' two and led 26-21 midway through the second half in Christchurch on Sunday.

But some poor discipline as the pressure mounted in the closing stages cost them their winning chance.

Crusaders centre Tom Taylor finished with a personal tally of 20 points from six penalties from six attempts plus a conversion and he kicked three of his penalties in the final 15 minutes to seal the result.

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"We played some good footy but we just can't seem to close," said Rebels stand-in skipper Higginbotham, who put in an inspirational performance.

"It was another disappointing, close loss."

The Wallabies backrower was referring to the Rebels' previous outing when they were overtaken after the final siren at AAMI Park by the Southern Kings.

Sunday's match was a lost opportunity to secure their first ever win abroad and their second in succession over the mighty Crusaders after a win at home last season.

After a poor start the Rebels found their feet and trailed 18-11 at halftime.

They came out firing after the break and, after both teams exchanged early penalties, five eighth O'Connor scored a try that's a certainty for the highlights reel.

After an initial break by O'Connor the Crusaders turned over the ball through a huge hit by their centre Ryan Crotty.

However a poor kick from the Crusaders saw the Rebels regroup and again attack with Higginbotham getting a ball away to O'Connor who managed to scramble across the line.

Six minutes later Melbourne hooker Ged Robinson scored from a clever line-out and the visitors were eyeing their third win of the season with a 26-21 lead.

A turning point came with about 15 minutes to go when Rebels fullback Jason Woodward kicked the ball dead in-goal after misjudging the wind following a penalty on his own 10-metre line.

His side were then penalised at the ensuing scrum and Taylor kicked the penalty to give the Crusaders the lead, 27-26.

"I think we had five or six penalties in the last 15 and that's something we're going to have to look at," said Higginbotham.

Despite Woodward's untimely kick, he was one of the stars for the Rebels, as was flanker Jarrod Saffy.

The Crusaders' scrum was key to their victory, their fifth of the season, repeatedly putting the Rebels under pressure.

All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter also came through unscathed after coming off the bench in his return from a month on the sidelines for paternity leave and then a hamstring injury.